Teenager Calvin wins Speed Runs E-racing title
View(s):
Calvin Kingsley poses with his championship title
Calvin Kingsley, 14-year old student of Asian International School and avid car enthusiast and ESports racer, won the first ever Speed Runs E-racing Championship in Sri Lanka, held at One Galle Face.
The championship finale was the closure to a series of events culminating in the overall competition. The first championship event was held in Matara before the Colombo event.
Over 100 E-racers in total in Sri Lanka tried out the latest play seat technology in the field of e-sports – PS4 racing simulators as per international specifications.
As Calvin Kingsley had won the Round 1 Championship, that was held in Matara in October 2019, he qualified for the Colombo finals with two other finalists from Matara. Another round was held in Colombo, leading up to Round 3, followed by the super finals held on September 5, 2020.
We spoke to the 14-year-old Calvin about his experience. Following are the excerpts
Q: How does it feel to be the winner of the inaugural Speed Runs Championship?
A: It feels great, obviously. I am very thrilled, and happy to have won it against such great competitors. We had a great bunch of people in the finals, and I am happy to have won the championship. I would like to thank my parents, and my mentor Without whose help and guidance this would not have been possible.
Q: What made you start playing esports?
A: Well my father and I have always been playing the Play Station motor racing games. The family loves racing too, so I guess it’s been in the family. My father’s friend, and my mentor, told us about this new emerging sport. I tried it out, and really enjoyed it, and told my parents. They got the gear down for me, and I practiced and managed to win the Round 1 Championship in Matara.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, since there was not much to do as we were stuck inside the house, and as school was also online, I had time to play and enjoyed it a lot. Then the Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC) also started their ‘Race From Home Championships’, which is still ongoing. It is a great way of spending your time while looking at a screen and I enjoyed the competition being held every other weekend. Since my father and mother both like racing, they also supported me in this.
Q: How long have you been playing?
A: I started this only last year. I used to play on the Play Station, but serious practice was only by last October if I remember right.
Q: How do you think esports has helped you in real life?
A: When studying, without focus, you will not learn or remember what you have learnt properly. In racing, without focus, you will have an accident and be out of the race. It’s as simple as that. Racing online helped me develop my powers of concentration and my focus, and I can say that this has helped me in my studies also. I know that racing will also ensure that I will be a safe driver when I can finally get my drivers’ license and drive officially on the roads in real life.
Q: What are the learnings you put to use in the race now?
A: Pit strategy is very important. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the competition is another. I have been playing for the ‘Race From Home Championships’ and this has helped me understand the competition. I have also been playing online races with racers from across the world, and that has helped to improve my game overall. I would once again like to thank uncle Sheran Cooke, my parents, uncle Sheran Fernando who lent me his PS4 when mine had to be repaired, and the CMSC without whom none of this would have been possible.